WHAT DO PRIESTS DO?

A priest is present at the most memorable times, both joyful and sorrowful - in baptisms and weddings, funerals and hospital visits.

CELEBRATES THE EUCHARIST

A priest celebrates the Eucharist with his congregation and brings comfort and meaning to modern day life in his homilies.

RECONCILES PEOPLE WITH GOD

A priest listens to the transgressions of a person, offers spiritual direction and absolves the person of their sins, bringing them back into a right relationship with God.

The life of a priest is busy, demanding, challenging — and very rewarding. The vast majority of priests live happy, fulfilling lives. They love the people they serve, and in turn, are loved by their parishioners.

Teach: Priests instruct others about the faith.

Shepherd: Priests guide, unite, and encourage their parishioners.

Sanctify: Priests administer the sacraments and encourage holiness.

The majority of priests serve in parishes.

Their duties include:

Celebrate Mass and preach the Gospel

Lead a parish of Catholic Christians

Bring new members into the Church through Baptism

Hear Confessions and provide spiritual direction

Help teens and young adults come to know Christ

Prepare couples for marriage and counsel married couples

Teach people how to pray

Feed the poor, visit prisons, and advocate for justice

Counsel people going through difficult times

Visit the sick in hospitals and anoint them for healing

Perform funerals and bury the dead

Manage the temporal affairs of the parish

Pray daily for the People of God

There are many specialized ministries such as being a chaplain, working at the diocesan offices, or teaching in a seminary.

AUTHOR,
THEOLOGIAN,
BISHOP

Bishop Robert Barron is all of this and the the founder of Word on Fire and creator and host of the Catholicism series and study program about the Catholic faith.

CHICAGO
POLICE CHAPLAIN

Fr. Dan Brandt is a the chaplain with the Chicago Police Department.

CHICAGO UNIVERSITY CHAPLAIN

Fr. Patrick Marshall has been director and chaplain of the John Paul II Newman Center at University of Illinois at Chicago since 1991. There are 25,000 students with 60 percent from Catholic families.